Ohio has given defense contractor SAIC millions to expand its Dayton-area operations focused on drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles. The U.S. Army has sent a “veritable air force” of drones to drop bombs on Afghanistan, among other places; and the military has also used drones to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance in Iraq, among other places.

But non-military uses of drones — like for law enforcement surveillance and aerial photography — are likely to become more common in the coming years as various industries and politicians push for allowing them in American skies.

So Sinclair Community College is getting in on what it sees as a growing regional industry, the Times says:

After consulting with industry experts, it is offering a certificate in unmanned aerial systems, with courses in piloting the vehicles remotely, maintaining them and operating their cameras. Seventy students are already taking classes in that program, with 67 more planning to this spring.

“Sinclair is working with us to anticipate what the training needs of business will be in the future,” said Jeffrey C. Hoagland, president of the Dayton Development Coalition, an economic development group. “That’s a little risky. But at the end of the day, it’s worth the reward.”

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StateImpact Ohio is a collaboration among WCPN, WKSU and WOSU. Reporters Amy Hansen and Mark Urycki travel the state to report on the state of education in Ohio, where it’s heading, and how it affects you. Read their reports on this site and listen to them on public radio stations across Ohio.